Vegas' Jack Eichel - Wasn't sure I'd ever win Stanley Cup - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Jack Eichel admitted there were times he had lost hope.

The Vegas Golden Knights star didn't make the playoffs for the first seven years of his career. He was often injured and maligned during his time with the Buffalo Sabres — drafted second overall in 2015 as a franchise savior, but unable to save the franchise. His first season with Vegas was also the first time it missed the playoffs.

Was it him?

«I think it's only human nature to have some doubt creep in when you don't make it to playoffs for an extended period of time,» Eichel said. «You're wondering if it will ever happen. So many people go through their whole career without having the opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup. It's the hardest thing in the world [to win].»

When the final horn sounded Tuesday night to end Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, a 9-3 rout of the Florida Panthers, Eichel skated with his arms extended into a pile of teammates. The doubts were gone. There was only one thing running through his mind.

«We did it. We're Stanley Cup champions, man,» Eichel said after Vegas captured its first championship in the franchise's six-year history. «I'm just so proud of our group and so happy to be a part of this organization and this city, with these fans. I feel really fortunate and blessed.»

Eichel spent six seasons with the Sabres, scoring 355 points in 375 games, but was unable to return Buffalo to the postseason. He was criticized as a one-dimensional offensive player and someone that hadn't lived up to his eight-year, $80 million contract that he signed in 2017. But the Sabres were unable to build around Eichel, who had five head coaches and three general managers during his tenure.

Sensing the Sabres were entering another rebuild, he